These days, almost anyone can advocate support for any cause. Be it about health, social movements, animals, or politics – you name it, there’s a believer in it. However, non-government and non-profit organizations need not only supporters but also continued awareness to keep generating funds and maintain interest and support from the larger public.
How about you? Do you have a cause, foundation, or organization you feel strongly for? Here’s how you can raise awareness for it.
Wear It
Clothing and accessories such as t-shirts, caps, rubber or silicone wristbands, and button pins are among the most common items you can use to display your support for a cause. For instance, breast cancer bracelets have been effective in raising awareness and support for breast cancer research and support. Bright colors are effective in catching one’s attention, as do bold, solid fonts. If you’re planning to make your own merchandise, try going for a balance of witty and daring statements to tickle the imagination.
Raise Funds
Non-profits need money to keep going, so why not help your pet organization by raising funds for them? You can organize bake sales or garage sales, mini concerts, or a fun run, or start a crowdfunding campaign. There are so many options for raising funds these days; all you need is the right motivation and a little creativity.
Donate
Do you feel like you don’t have the necessary skills to conduct a fundraising activity? Don’t worry – you can always choose to donate. Some organizations give you the option of making a one-time donation or contributing a specific amount of money for a number of months. And don’t think that donations are limited to cash – you can donate stocks, vehicles, ingredients (for soup kitchens, for example), clothes, and even customized accessories like cancer bracelets to show your advocacy to the fundraising cause. Check with the organization on the types of donations they accept.
Volunteer and Participate
If you have the time, volunteer for your cause or participate in events. You can join medical missions in and out of your city or state, for example, or purchase items from your non-profit during a bazaar. For instance, you can buy specialized autism bracelets when attending an event that spreads awareness about autism. Sign up as part of the organizing committee if you feel like you can’t helm an event on your own.
Talk About It Online
Social media is a powerful tool for spreading awareness. You can easily find like-minded individuals through forums, Facebook groups, and Twitter hashtags, to name a few, and start a healthy conversation with them. You can even connect with people from overseas to create an even wider network of advocates.
Tech developments also allow people to discuss ideas and information on different platforms. You can host a live video Q&A, conduct surveys, and create different materials like animated GIFs to further grab your audience’s attention and let them know more about your cause.
Research
A well-informed advocate is the best kind. You can answer questions from interested parties, debunk myths from naysayers, and further educate your fellow supporters. A wealth of information is available both online and offline. Just remember to verify the credibility of your sources so that you’re always equipped with the correct information.
Recruit
Like-minded persons in your social circle may be interested in forming or joining a group that supports your cause. You can talk to them and keep them informed of the activities and campaigns where they can help out. You can also discuss your advocacies with friends and family members so that they can understand it better. The more people who know about and support your cause, the more it’s going to grow and be able to further its mission. You can even use your online network to reach and inform even more people.
Start a Social Media Campaign
For the playful, creative types – why not start a campaign that grows through engagement? Remember the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? Take inspiration from this viral campaign that’s as informative as it is fun. This particular campaign has been effective not only in raising awareness but also in generating funds for ALS research.
It doesn’t have to be as far-reaching, but it should be relevant to your cause. You can’t start an awareness campaign by focusing on just the fun part and forgetting about what your cause is really about.
Talk to Your Government Officials
Do you need further support and influence? Approach your government officials and ask if they can be part of your advocacy, too. Your local leaders and representatives are prime examples. They don’t even have to sign up as members, though that’s certainly a plus. As long as they understand your advocacy and why it’s worth supporting, then they can aid your campaign. They can help you gain connection to relevant institutions that can promote your organization and provide additional funding.
Share Your Story
Nothing can be more believable than people who are campaigning and supporting a cause that they have experienced first-hand or through a loved one. This is especially true for causes that support medical and health research, emergency response, and environmental protection. If you have the funding, you can even sell or give away customized accessories, like hospital bracelets to a medical institution, to help spread the word.
Share your story online, accept speaking engagements should you be invited, or speak out during meetings. You will lend credibility and strength to your cause.
Your small way of supporting your favorite cause can have a positive impact if you’re consistent and honest. Have you found your means to help? Do it today and start building awareness so that it can be turned into action in the near future.
